The stories of Alberta identity that evolved along with the development of the province's oil resources, over the course of Alberta's recent history, fuel this analysis of discourse. The author uses theories of discourse analysis to explore how the media in Canada and in Alberta have presented historical boom and bust phenomena in the oil industry, in particular, how the Canadian oil industry has built on characteristics of Alberta identity to create a close association of interests linking the Alberta community and oil producers. She draws on popular culture and classical literature to compare the discourse on energy in Quebec and Alberta.